Illinois film extruder adding second line

Elite Extrusion Technology
Elite Extrusion is adding a second W&H blown film line to its plant in St. Charles, Ill.

Polyethylene blown film producer Elite Extrusion Technology Inc. is installing its second line and targets an Aug. 1 startup.

The St. Charles, Ill., company has bought its second Windmoeller & Hoelscher Optimex 3-layer blown film line that is much like its first, a 72-inch system that can make film with up to 86 inches lay-flat width. The new line incorporates features to boost production efficiency and ensure film quality and minimize waste.

Elite director of sales and marketing Gordon J. Galloway said in a phone interview that the second line will help the private company to boost film sales in the marketplace. Currently, about half its output is bought by sister company Bema Inc., an Elmhurst, Ill., converter that uses Elite’s and other firms’ films to make flexible packaging. Bema prints, laminates, slits and makes bags and pouches using a variety of film types.

Elite President, founder and owner Glen Galloway stated in a news release that the new line supports growing demand for his company’s PE films.

“The additional capacity will also give us the flexibility to quickly test and certify engineered film solutions customized to our customers’ needs,” Glen Galloway explained.

Major end uses of Elite’s films include traditional poly bags, sealant layers, laminations, shrink bundling, peel-able applications, frozen foods and liquid packaging. Its constructions include barrier-enhanced films. The 15-employee company tests to ASTM standards in an in-house testing laboratory.